Viscosity-responsive device



Jan. 26, 1937. H. T. BOOTH VISCOSITY RESPONSIVE I DEVICE Original Fild Feb. .7, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l a 2 M 1 7 m .1 w m fl M w w g J m ni W0 1 M MM. w w MW 3 R 0% m E m v ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 26, 1937 I I A ,068,973

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE vrsoosrrr-nnsrorzsrva DEVICE Harry '1. Booth, Glencoe, 111., assignor to Lubr ication Control Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application February 7, 1933, Serial No. 655,575

Renewed June 20, 1936 14 Claims. (01. 137-165) This invention relates to viscosity responsive vice or radiator I4 is suspended from the bottom devices and has for an object a simple and effiof the oil pan adjacent the front end thereof. A cient device responsive to variations in viscosity pipe I leads from the chamber formed by the of fluid flowing through the device. partition I2 and shelf I3-to the radiator I4 and 5 In a device embodying the invention, the fluid a pipe I6 leads from the radiator to a casing I1 5 is caused to pass successively through two ports, arranged in the well I201. one comprising a friction tube, the resistance In the casing I1 there is provided a cylindrical of which to fluid flow varies with the viscosity liner IB having a port I9 registering with' the of the fluid and the other comprising an orifice, pipe IS, a port 20 registering witha pipe 2| which the resistance of which to fluid flow is substanleads to a pump 22 and a port 23 communicating 10 tially independent of the viscosity of the fluid, with the interior of the well I211. In the liner I8 these ports being arranged in either of two orthere is 'slidably mounted a piston 24 having ders of succession. Means are provided for heads 25 and 26, the piston controlling the flow supplying fluid to the first port at constant presof oil into the liner I8 through the pipe I6 and sure and the pressure of the fluid between the port 23. The piston valve 24 is so designed that 5 two ports is applied to pressure responsive means in one position thereof, the head 26 closes the which may be a control member or an indicator. port I9 with the head"25 out of register with the The pressure of the fluid between the two ports is port 23 while in another position the head 25 a function of the viscosity of the fluid and the closes the port 23 with the head 25 out of register control member or indicator is operated in rewith the port B9. A pipe 21 leads from the pump 20 sponse to changes in viscosity of the fluid. 22 to the bearings for supplying oil thereto.

Such a viscosity responsive device is of utility A casing 28 extends from the left end of the in connection with any fluid system in which casing I1 and is closed at its left end by a plug viscosity regulation is required an'dvis of especial 29. A bellows member 30 is attached at one utility in connection with the lubricating system end to theinner face of the plug 29 and at its of an internal combustion engine to control the other end is closed by a head 3|. The plug 29 viscosity of the lubricant as described and claimed is provided with an inlet port controlled by a in the co-pending application of Henry B. Clarke, valve 32, the stem of which is carried by the head Serial 120,644,287 filed November 25, 1932 and is 3|. A branch pipe 33 leads from the pipe 21 to also of utility for directly measuring and inditheport in the plug 29 controlled by the valve 32. 30 eating the viscosity of fluid flowing through the A casing 34 surrounds the bellows member 30 device. I 1 and is supported by the plug 29 and a spring 35 Other objects, novel features and advantages of is interposed between the frame and the head 3 I this invention will be apparentfrom the followthis spring exerting pressure on the head 3| tend- 35 ing specification and accompanying drawings, ing to maintain the valve 32 in open position. 3 wherein: A second bellows member 36 is attached at one Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an automobile enend to the plug 29 and at its other end is closed gine having a lubricating system embodying the by a plate 31. A friction tube 38 formed in the invention; plug 29 leads from the interior of the bellows Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section on member 30 to a conduit 39 communicating with 40 the line 22 of Fig. 1; the interior of the bellows member 36. In the Fig. 3 is a sectional view through a viscosimeter plate 31 there is provided an orifice l0 and an embodying the invention; and aperture II is provided in the housing 28. A Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are views similar to Fig. 2 of spring .42 is interposed between the plate 31 and modifi'ed forms of the invention. the left end of the casing I1, and the piston 45 The internal combustion engine It! is provided valve 24 is connected to the plate 31 by 'a link 43, with an oil pan II, the forward portion of which the spring 42 tending to maintain the parts in is of less depth than the rear portion. A verthe position shown in Fig. 2. tical partition I2 forms a well or pocket I2a with When the engine is at rest, the various elethe curved bottom of the forward portion of the ments are in theposition shown in Fig. 2. The 50 oil pan, this partition terminating in a sloping inlet port through the plug 29 is open and the "shelf l3 extending nearly to the rear wall of the A port 23 is opened, while the port I9 is closed and pan. The bottom edge of the partition I2 engages all chambers and spaces are filled with oil. On the bottom of the oil pan, but does not make a starting the engine, oil is drawn through the port fluid tight seal therewith. A heat exchange de- 23 and delivered to the bearings. Also, oil is 55 forced by way of the pipe 33 into the bellows member 30 thence through thefriction tube 36' and conduit 39 into the bellows member 36 from which it flows through the orifice 40 and aperture 4| into the well I2a, the rate of flow through the friction tube and orifice being the same. The increased pressure thus produced in the bellows member tends to move the head 3| to the right against the action of the spring 35. Such movement of the head 3| moves the valve 23 to partially close the inlet port and continues until the pressure within the bellows member equals the strength of the spring '35 and such pressure is maintained throughout the entire operation by regulatory movement of the valve 32 against or by the spring 35. The pressure in the bellows member 30 is thus maintained constant.

The friction tube 38 is of such dimensions that its resistance to fluid .flow varies with the viscosity of the fluid while the orifice 46 is of such dimensions that its resistance to fluid flow is substantially independent of the viscosity of the fluid and, as has been described, thepressure of the oil supplied to the friction tube is maintained substantially constant. As the oil is supplied to the friction tube at constant pressure, change of viscosity of the oil effects conjoint variation of the resistance to flow of the friction tube and the pressure differential across the friction tube with resulting change of pressure of the oil between the'friction tube and the orifice. As the resistance to flow of the orifice is dependent upon rate of flow and is substantially independent of viscosity and as the rate of flow through the orifice is the same asthrough the friction tube, the pressure of the oil between the friction tube and orifice is a measure of the rate of flow through the friction tube and is a function of the oil viscosity.

When the oil is of high viscosity as is the case upon starting of the engine, the rate of flow through the friction tube 38 is low by reason of the high resistance .of the friction tube to oil of high viscosity, and consequently the pressure in the outer bellows member 36 is low and is insufllcient to expand the bellows member against the action of the spring. 42. Therefore, the piston 24 remains in the position shown in Fig. 2 with the port 23 open and the port I! closed. With this arrangement of the piston, the by-pass through the radiator I4 is closed and oil is drawn by the pump solely from the well l2a. After a period of. operation, the oil becomes higher temperature and consequently of lower viscosity. Therefore, with constant pressure on the oil in the bellows member 30, the rate of flow through the friction tube 36 increases as the viscosity decreases. Such increase inflow 'results in an increased back pressure in the bellowsmember 36 and the latter is expanded against the actionof the spring 42 so that the head 31 moves the piston 24 to the right, thereby partially closing the port 23 and partially opening the port is. In this position of the piston 24, oil is drawn through the radiator! 4 as well as directly from the well l2a and the mixture thus obtained is supplied by the pump to the bearings. The addition of cool'oil tends to retard further viscosity decrease. Movement of the piston 24 to the right continues as long as the viscosity of the oil supplied to the bearings tends to decrease and the increased pressure in the bellows member 36 tends to expand the same, thereby increasing the ratio of cool oil in the mixture supplied to the bearings. When the oil reaches the desired 1 provided with an inlet viscosity further movement of the valve to the 1 right ceases and the ratio of oil drawn directly from the sump and through the radiator remains constant. Any decrease in viscosity of the lubricant due to change in engine speed or other cause results in increase of pressure in the bellows member 36 which causes .further movement of the valve 24 to the right, thus increasing the ratio of cooled oil in the mixture. Any increase in .viscosity results in decrease of pressure in the bellows member 36 resulting in movement of the piston 24 to the left under the influence of the spring 42, thereby decreasing the ratio of cooled oil in the mixture. Such regulatory movement of the valve maintains the oil at proper viscosity.

The viscosity at which the oil is maintained is dependent upon the spring prevents movement of the valve to the right from the position shown in Fig. 2 until such time as the pressure in the bellows member 36 is suit- 42. This spring cient to expand the bellows member against the action of .the spring 42 and moves the piston to the left when the pressure in the bellows member 36 tends to decrease and as the pressure in the bellows member 36 is a function of the viscosity of the oil, the spring 42 is designed to be of proper strength to insure maintenance of the t oil at the desired viscosity.

I be read directly from the indicator.

The viscosimeter shown in Fig. 3 embodies the same principle of construction as above described. The pipe 33a leads from the pipe 21 to the bellows member 30a. The inlet port to the bellows member is controlled by a valve 32a the stem of which is connected to movable head 3|a of the bellows, member 361:: A casing 34a surrounds the. bellows member and is carried by the plug 29a closing the left end of the housing 28a. A spring 35a is frame and the head 310. A friction tube 36a in the plug 29a leads from the interior of the bellows member 30a to a conduit 39a communicating with the interior of the housing 26a. The housing 260 is provided with an orifice 46a and a pipe 44:: leads from the housing to a pressure responsive indicator 46a suitably calibrated to give direct viscosity readings. Constant pres sure is maintained within the bellows member 36a as previously described and the pressure of the in the housing 26a is a function of the viscosity of the oil, and as the pressure responsive device 45a is acted. upon by the pressure in the housing 26a, it will directly indicate the viscosity of the oil flowing through the device.

In the modification disclosed in Fig. 4, the pipes l6 and 2| lead to and from the casing l1 port I 9 communicating with the pipe I 6, an outlet port 26 communcating with the pipe 2|. and an inlet port 23 communicating with the. well I 2a. A piston valve 24 is slidably mounted in the casing and is provided with heads 25 and 26 for controlling flow into the casing through the ports l9 and 23. A

spring 46 is interposed between the head 26 and 41 closing the right end oi the ton with respect to the pipe 33 controls the flow of oil' through said pipe into the interior of the piston. A plug 5| is held in the casing H by screws 52 and carries a friction tube 53 which extends through the plug. A spring 54 is interposed between the piston 48 and the tubular plug 55 closing the left end of the casing l1. An.

orifice 56 is provided in the casing wall to the right of the plug 5! and the piston 24 is provided with an additional head 51 at the left of the head 25.

In operation, oil is supplied to the friction tube 53 at constant pressure by operation of the pis-' ton 48 against or by the spring 54. The pressure of the oil in the chamber between the plug 5| and the head 51 regulates the flow of oil through the pipe l6 and port 23, through movement of the valve 24 to the right as the pressure in this chamber increases and movement of the valve to the left under the influence of the spring 46 as the pressure decreases. The pressure of the oil in this chamber is a function of its viscosity as previously pointed out and therefore the oil supplied to the bearings is maintained at uniform viscosity by the regulatory movement :of the piston 24 in response to variation of pressure acting on the head 51. If desired, the device may be provided with means for registering the viscosity, such means comprising a pressure responsive indicator connected to the casing by the pipe 44.

The modification disclosed in Fig. 5 differs fromthe modification disclosed in- Fig. 4 in that the plug 5| contains the orifice 56 and the friction tube 53 is carried by the head 51 and discharges into a conduit 56 extending through the piston 24. Also the positions of the pipes l6 and 2! are interchanged and the head'26 is in register with the port 23 when the engine is at rest.

In this modification, the oil is supplied to the orifice 56, at constant pressure by reason of the regulatory action of the piston 50.

The resistance to fiow of the friction tube and the pressure differential across it vary conjointly with the oil viscosity. Asthe oil is supplied to the orifice at constant pressure and its resistance to flow is dependent upon rate of flow and independent of viscosity and as the rate of .flow

through the orifice and the friction tube is the same, the-pressure of the oil between the orifice and friction tube is a measure of the rate oi. flow through the friction tube and is a function of the oil viscosity. 7

When the oil is of high viscosity as at the starting of the engine, the rate of flow through the friction tube 53 is low because of its high resistance to high viscosity oil and therefore the piston 24 is immediately moved to the right by reason of the high pressure acting on the head 51 to open the port 23 and close the port It so that the pump draws oil only from the well l2a. As the viscosity of the oil begins to decrease after a period of engine operation, the pressure acting on the head 51 correspondingly decreases and the piston 24 is moved to the left under the influence of the spring 46 to partially close the port'23 and partially open the port I6 and regulatory movement of the valve 23 is thus effected to maintain constant oil viscosity. Themodification disclosed in Fig. 6 differs from the'modiflcation disclosed in Fig. 2 in that the rate of flow' through the friction tube 33 is lowand, therefore, pressure in the bellows member 36 is high and the piston 24 is moved to the right to open the port 23 and close the port l6. As the viscosity decreases after a period of engine operation, the pressure in the bellows member 36 likewise decreases and the piston 24 is moved to the left under'the action of the :fspring 42, thereby partially closing the port 23 and partially opening the port 20 to regulate the flow therethrough to maintain the oil at uniform viscosity.

In each of the devices above described, the space between the friction tube and orifice constitutes a chamber having an inlet port comprising either the friction tube or orifice and an outlet port comprising either the orifice or friction tube. The pressure of the oil supplied to the inlet port is maintained constant and the pressure of the oil in the chamber is a function of the viscosity of the oil and is utilized either to actuate a valve for controlling flow of cool and warm oil to the pump to make up the mixture to be applied to the bearings or to, actuate an indicator which registers the viscosity of the oil or to operate both the valve and the indicator.

In Figs. 2, 4 and 6, one wall of the chamber is movable in response to pressure changes within the chamber and is conjunctively related to the valve for actuating the same. In Figs. 2, 4 and 6, a viscosity indicator is shown as combined with the valve controlling means, but it is to be understood that the indicator is in no way essential to the proper function of the valve control means and may be eliminated. In fact, it is probable that in most installations of the devices shown in these figures, the indicator will be eliminated as the control means maintains the oil at predetermined viscosity. I It is to be understood that various modifications may bemade in the structure above described,

chamber having a movable wall and having a port comprising a friction tube, a port comprising an orifice, means for supplying fluid to one of said ports at constant pressure, the other port being in said movable wall, means opposing-movement of said movable wall in one direction, and means actuated by said movable wall.

2. In a fluid system, two fluid paths, a conduitwith which said paths communicate, valve means for controlling fiowthrough said paths comprising a casing containing a valve piston, a chamber in said casing having a port comprising a friction tube and a second port comprising an orifice, said chamber having a movable wall, means for flowing fluid from said conduit to one of said ports at constant pressure, and means for opposing movement of said movable wall in one direction, said movable wall and valve piston being conjunctively related.

3. In a fluid system, two fluid paths, a.conduit ing a casing containing a valve piston, a cham-, ber in said casing having 'a port comprising a friction tube and a second port comprising an orifice, means for flowing fluid from said conduit to one of said ports at constant pressure, the other port being in said'movable wall, and means for opposing movement of said movable wall in one diand means for actuating said valve piston in response to pressure variations in the fluid in said chamber.

' 1 5. In a fluid system, two fluid paths, a conduit with which said paths communicate, valve means for controlling flow through said paths comprising a casing containing a valve piston, a chamber in said casing having an inlet port comprising a friction tube and an outlet port comprising an orifice, said chamber having amovable wall, means for flowing fluid mixture from said two paths to said inlet port at constant pressure, and means opposing. movement of said movable wall in one direction, said movable wall and said valve piston being conjunctively related.

6. In a fluid system, two fluid paths, a conduit with which said paths communicate, valve means for controlling flow through said paths comprising a casing containing a valve piston, a chamber in said casing having an inlet port comprising an orifice and an outlet port comprising a friction tube, means for flowing fluid mixture from said two paths to said inlet port at constant pressure, and means for actuating said valve piston in response to pressure variations in the fluid in said chamber.

7. In a fluid system, two fluid paths,-a conduit with which said paths communicate, valve means for controlling flow through said paths comprising a casing containing a valve piston, a chamber in said casing having an inlet port comprising an orifice-and an outlet port comprising afriction tube, said chamber having a movable wall, means for flowing fluid from said conduit to said inlet port at constant pressure, and

means opposing movement of'said movable wall in one direction, said movable wall and valve piston being eonjunctively related.

8. In a device of the character described, a bellows member having one fixed wall and one movable wall, an inlet port in said stationary wall, a valve controlling said inlet port, said valve being connected to and operated by said movable wall, a casing enclosing said ,bellows member, a spring interposed betweensaid'casing and the movable wall of said bellows member, a second bellows member enclosing said casing having a fixed and a movable wall, a passage leading from said first bellows member to said second bellows member, and an outlet passage in the movable wall of said second bellows member, one of said passages being a friction tube and the other passage being an orifice.

9. In a device of the character described, a bellows member having one fixed wall and one movable wall, an inlet port in said stationary said chamber having a movable wall,.

wall, a valvecontrolling said inlet port, said valve being connected to and operated by said movable wall, a casing enclosing said bellows .member, a spring interposed between said casing and the movable wall of said bellows member,

a second bellows member enclosing said casing having .a fixed and a movable wall, a passage leading from said first bellows member to said second bellows member, an outlet passage in the movable wall of said second bellows member,

one of said passages being a friction tube and the other passage being an orifice, and means actuated by said last named movable wall.

10. In a device of the character described, a

casing having an inlet port, a 'piston reciprocal in said casing to? control fluid flow through said port into said casing, a spring tending to oppose movement of theipiston in one direction, a partition in said casing, a passage extending through said partition, a piston valve in said casing on the opposite, side of the .partition from said piston, a passage through which fluid discharges from the space between said partition. and said piston valve, one of said passages being a friction tube and the other passage being an orifice, said piston valve being adapted to be acted upon by fluid flowing from one passage to the other,

- a spring tending to :oppose movement of said piston valve in one direction, two fluid paths communicating with [said casing, said piston valve being movabletolcontrol flow through said paths, 'a conduit with which said casing communicates, and a heat exchange device in one path, said casing port being in communication with said conduit.

11, Ina fluid system, two fluid paths, a heat exchange device in one path, a tubular casing communicating with said paths, a conduit with which said casing communicates, a piston slidably mounted in said casing to control flow through said paths, a portion of said casing constituting a chamber of which one wall comprises one end of said piston, said chamber having an inlet port communicating with said conduit and an outlet port, one of said ports comprising a friction tube and the other port comprising an orifice, means for maintaining at constant pressure fluid supplied to said inlet port, and means for opposing movement of said piston in one direction.

12. In a 'fluid system, two fluid paths, a heat exchange device in one path, a casing communicating with said paths, a piston slidable in said casing to control flow through said paths, a conduit with which said casing communicates, a bellows member having one fixed wall and one movable wall, an inlet port in said fixed wall communicating with said conduits, a valve controlling said inlet port, said valve being connected to and operated by said movable wall, a casing enclosing said bellows member, a spring interposed between said casing and the movable wall of said bellows member, a second bellows member enclosing said casing having a fixed and a movable wall, said movable wall being conjunctively'related to said piston, a passage leading from the first bellows member to the second bellows member, and an outlet passage in the movable wall of said bellows member, one

of said passages being an orifice and the other being a friction tube. 1

13. In a fluid system, two fluid paths, a heat exchange device in one path, a conduit into which said paths discharge, a casing communicating with said paths, a valve piston in saidvoasing for, controlling flow through said paths, 9. second piston in said casing, said casing having an inlet port controlled by said second piston, means for supplying fluid from said conduit to said inpassage to the -second passage, and a spring tending to oppose movement or said valve piston in one direction.

14. In a fluid system, two fluid paths, a heat exchange device in one path, a conduit into which said paths discharge, a casing communicating with said paths, a valve piston in said casing for controlling flow through said paths, a second piston in said casing, said casing having an sage being a Iriction tube, and a spring tending to oppose movement otvsaid valve piston in one direction.

5 let port, a spring tending to oppose movement of inlet port controlled by said second piston, means 5 the second piston in, one direction, a partition for supplying fluid from said conduit to said in said casing having a passage therethrough, inlet port, a spring tending to oppose movement said valve piston being arranged in said casing of the second piston in-one'vdirection, a partition on the opposite side of the partition from said in said casing between said pistons and having 10 second piston, a passage through which fluid disa passage, a passage through which fluid is dis- 10 charges from the space between said partition charged from the space-between said partition and said valve piston, one of said passages beand said valve piston, said valve piston being ing an orifice and the other passage being a fricadapted to be acted upon by fluid flowing from tion tube, said valve piston being adapted to the first passage to the second passage, one of 15 be acted upon by fluid flowing from the first said passages being 'an orifice and the other pas- 15 HARRY 'r. BOOTH.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

Patentlio. 2,058,975. Januar v 26, 1937.

many 11:. score.

' It is hereby certified that error appears in theiprinte'd specification of the above numbered patent=requiring correction as. follows: Page 4, first column, 1ines'29 and 30 and "lines 41 and 42 clai ns 5' and 6 respectively, for the words "mixture -from said two paths" read from said conduit; "and that the said Letters Patentshould be read with these corrections therein; that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of March. A. n. 1951* 1 (Seal Henry Vaniirsdal Acting Commissioner of Patents.

for, controlling flow through said paths, 9. second piston in said casing, said casing having an inlet port controlled by said second piston, means for supplying fluid from said conduit to said inpassage to the -second passage, and a spring tending to oppose movement or said valve piston in one direction.

14. In a fluid system, two fluid paths, a heat exchange device in one path, a conduit into which said paths discharge, a casing communicating with said paths, a valve piston in said casing for controlling flow through said paths, a second piston in said casing, said casing having an sage being a Iriction tube, and a spring tending to oppose movement otvsaid valve piston in one direction.

5 let port, a spring tending to oppose movement of inlet port controlled by said second piston, means 5 the second piston in, one direction, a partition for supplying fluid from said conduit to said in said casing having a passage therethrough, inlet port, a spring tending to oppose movement said valve piston being arranged in said casing of the second piston in-one'vdirection, a partition on the opposite side of the partition from said in said casing between said pistons and having 10 second piston, a passage through which fluid disa passage, a passage through which fluid is dis- 10 charges from the space between said partition charged from the space-between said partition and said valve piston, one of said passages beand said valve piston, said valve piston being ing an orifice and the other passage being a fricadapted to be acted upon by fluid flowing from tion tube, said valve piston being adapted to the first passage to the second passage, one of 15 be acted upon by fluid flowing from the first said passages being 'an orifice and the other pas- 15 HARRY 'r. BOOTH.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

Patentlio. 2,058,975. Januar v 26, 1937.

many 11:. score.

' It is hereby certified that error appears in theiprinte'd specification of the above numbered patent=requiring correction as. follows: Page 4, first column, 1ines'29 and 30 and "lines 41 and 42 clai ns 5' and 6 respectively, for the words "mixture -from said two paths" read from said conduit; "and that the said Letters Patentshould be read with these corrections therein; that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of March. A. n. 1951* 1 (Seal Henry Vaniirsdal Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

